Assessment Only Route

The Assessment Only (AO) route provides a pathway for those who have considerable experience of working in schools and/or educational settings, but who do not possess Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It is a route that allows you to be assessed for QTS if you are working as an unqualified teacher, paid or unpaid, or if you have recently had extensive and recent experience of teaching in schools.

Candidates for this route will present a portfolio of their experience which will be assessed against the standards for the award of QTS (see TA website). In addition candidates will be observed teaching to ensure breadth and depth of teaching experience. Entry to the AO route is highly competitive and applications will be subject to a rigorous selection process which will include:

application form, which includes school endorsement statement and personal statement
submission of an initial portfolio
formal interview

Am I eligible for the AO route?

Key requirements

Candidates must hold an honours degree, which will normally be a first degree (e.g. BA/BSc) of 2.2 or above, although the overall quality of an application will be taken into consideration (overseas degrees of a comparable standard, verified by NARIC, will also be considered)
Candidates must have passed GCSE in Maths and English with a C grade or above (or equivalent). In addition Primary phase candidates must have passed Science GCSE at grade C or above or equivalent). Please note: Key Skills qualifications are not accepted as alternatives.
Candidates would normally have extensive, relevant, recent and successful teaching experience (minimum of 3 years, full time equivalent), in at least 2 schools/educational settings and across 2 consecutive key stages.
Candidates must pass QTS skills tests in Maths, English and ICT.
Candidates must have CRB clearance and appropriate health checks must be undertaken.

Funding

There is no TA funding for the AO Route and applicants or their supporting schools must meet the cost of the Assessment – £1,675 plus VAT. Any additional visits requested or required will be charged for as necessary.

Download the application pack below for further information or contact us on Tel: 01476 512797 or email: aor@emdirect.co.uk

Application Pack: